If your nets are connected in the netlist file, another common problem occurs when you try running a track between two pins, and the pins are too close to each other.
PCB automatically enforces DRCs while you are routing. If your track width + trace separation spacing DRC is larger than the distance between two pins or pads, then you can't route between them. PCB won't let you route through. You can always find out if your are allowed to connect two bits of metal by hitting <shift>-O to turn on the rats and see what is connected. You can do this even while drawing a trace. If you see a brown rat line connecting two bits of metal, then they are connected in the netlist. If you can't route between them, then the problems is likely that you would violate a DRC by routing between the two. Finally, sometimes PCB itself is confused & won't let you connect two traces which *do* belong together. You can update PCB's knowledge about your design's connections by updating the rats. Accordingly, you are best advised to hit <shift>-O early and often while routing. That way, PCB's knowledge about your design's connectivitity is continually updated. Stuart > > The pins that you are going to connect must be connected in the > netlist file, otherwise the software won't allow you to connect them. > A way out is to disable the 'auto DRC clearance' in the settings manu. > > vax, 9000 > > On 6/23/05, Samuel A. Falvo II <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I'm attempting to connect some nets by hand in a PCB layout that I > > have, but the thing won't let me! For example, after I get done > > drawing the vias and the actual lines, I end up with the following > > situation (please excuse the use of ASCII art, but a picture is more > > succinct than words here): > >=20 > > o------ * > > | * > > | * > > | * > > | > > | > > o-- * > > * > >=20 > > Note that there are unavoidable *gaps* between the pins of the ICs and > > the lines that join to them. > >=20 > > I so far have not found *any* way to circumvent this. What am I doing > > wrong? I find it excruciatingly hard to believe that auto-routing and > > direct, point-to-point connections are the *only* way to join nets. > > :( > >=20 > > Thanks. > >=20 > > -- > > Samuel A. Falvo II > > >
